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Heritage Owners Club
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it never rains....


Trying to get a band up and running is full of twists and turns that you just don't expect to find.

 

having completed a set list of over thirty numbers we are now ready to polish them to performance level and we have gigs booked. Then, this week, we all get an e mail from Terry our drummer saying he is quitting. He told me that he is not going to join any other band, but he wants to do other things. He and his brother have bought a narrow boat and want to go off on it at weekends with their wives and just enjoy themselves. Also, he has lost enthusiasm for drumming and looking back this has shown because he hasn't learned new songs he needed to and it was worrying me just enough to make me wonder why he wasn't making the effort. Terry is truly a nice guy and a gentleman, and he told me that as far as a bunch of guys go, we are terrific to be around and good musicians to play alongside. We shall remain friends, and after all, if his heart is not in it, we might as well look elsewhere.

 

Never being one to let the grass grow under my feet, I have contacted Allen, a guy who I get on with very well who has been in a band with me before that didn't get off the ground, It turns out that his band is doing nothing and he was pleased to hear from me, we always got along very well and stayed friends. The upshot is that he is coming to play with us next saturday with the intention of joining us if it goes well, and there is no reason why it shouldn't.

 

We still had a band practice this weekend, if for no other reason than to keep the discipline of practicing going. However, it was a bit of a waste of time because it was playing with a huge hole in the sound which just killed our enthusiasm. However, we did use some of the time to mess around with one or two new ideas.

 

Now on to things that really matter. Tomorrow is the funeral of our dear and very close friend Peter. Helen and I have been friends with him and his wife Sue since our kids were babies, and all our kids are the best of friends. Sue and Peter are more like family to us than some of our blood family and tomorrow will be a tough day for them, so we have to help them get through it. The next couple of years will be tough for Sue, in a house on her own, she and Pete were one of the most together couples I have ever seen, you didn't find one without the other. Guitars and bands are great, but it's people who really matter.

6 Comments


Recommended Comments

rockabilly69

Posted

Mark, right there, is why I went solo! I have a band band, and a duet, but I make most of my money as a solo! Good luck with your new drummer, and sorry to hear of your friend's passing.

mark555

Posted

Thanks for the kind comments, I don't think I could be a solo act myself, with me it's very much a band thing.

skydog52

Posted

Thoughts and prayers for your friend. Both of you are great friends to be there for Peter's wife. As you said she will need it.

I am sure the band will come together and can't wait for some video or audio. Good luck Mark.

mark555

Posted

Many thanks - We will miss our friend very much, like many who go prematurely, he was a great guy but more importantly just a good human being.

 

As for the band, well, I have put too much effort into getting it going to let it go at this point!

Shoman

Posted

It's great to follow someone through this journey. Thanks for posting this up.

mark555

Posted

Many thanks for your kind words Shoman.

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